Nirmala Bhavan

On 22nd April 1961 Sacred Heart Province, Ernakulam was divided and St. Mary’s Province Kothamangalam was erected. The province had a very humble beginning with 9 houses and 130 sisters within the territory of the diocese of Kothamangalam. The first convent in the diocese of Kothamangalam is Marika, which was established on September 8, 1948. So when the St.Mary’s Province was erected Marika convent became the provincial house as well as formation house. We bow our heads in gratitude for the wonderful providence of God that, this little seedling of SABS grew very fast to the present status. For this wonderful growth, we are indebted to very many benevolent persons. Our first bishop Late Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhi, Bishop Emeritus Mar George Punnakottil, Mar George Madathikandathil, Late Rev.Fr. Thomas Nedumkallel, Late Rev. Fr. John Vallamattom, Late Rev. Fr. Cherian Veranany and Late Rev. Fr. Paul Tharaniyil are few among them to be mentioned in special way. Under their guidance and the leadership of Mother Mary Cruz and Mother Mary Simon , our first members to led hard to reach this present stage.


In 1971, the province courageously stepped in to Mission field at Berhampur diocese in Orissa. In 1973, we could extend mission apostolate to Punjab, Jalandhar diocese also. In 1986 we started our services to the diocese of Irinjalakuda too.


Our Mission houses in Punjab, Orissa, A.P, Jammu Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh together formed JaiRani Mission Vice Province, in 1998. In 2003 Punjab and Orissa became two separate provinces.


Bifurcation of Kothamangalam diocese happened in 2003 and diocese of Idukki came to existence. So, in 2004 Kothamnagalam St. Mary’s Province was divided again and Jai Matha Province Idukki was erected. Thus St.Mary’s Province Kothamangalam is the mother province of Punjab, Orissa and Idukki Provinces.


At present we have 479 members and 42 houses. 32- houses in the territory of the diocese of Kothamangalam, 6- diocese of Irinjalakuda, 1- diocese of Kalyan, 3- Arch diocese of Delhi. The Province has 6-residences abroad. (Rome-2, Germany -3, USA -1). Our sisters are doing mission apostolate in the East African Mission also.


In 1977, the provincialate of the province was shifted from Marika to Thodupuzha. Nirmala Bhavan, Thodupuzha has been the provincial House of the province since then. The Present Novitiate House is Aradhana Bhavan, Kothamangalam and Postulant’s house is Adoration convent Kothamangalam. Jai Rani Convent Thodupuzha and Adoration Convent Marika serve as infirmary for the sick and the aged sisters.


Adoration Convent Cheppukulam and Adoration convent Marika are functions as the prayer houses and perpetual adoration centre of the province. There are also 7 other perpetual adoration centres for the province. They are Nirmala Bhavan, Kodikulam,Perumpallichira, Kanakamala, Snehalayam, Jyothirgamaya, Mercy Hospital Vazhithala.


Our sisters are actively involved in various apostolic activities such as evangelisation, education, healing ministry, social work and Jail ministry. Eucharistic apostolate is our primary mission and Eucharistic adoration is the source of our inspiration and energy.